The effort is based on three premises. First, the fundamental mission of a youth corrections organization is to turn around young lives so as to decrease juvenile recidivism. Second, increasing educational achievement for incarcerated youths reduces the risk of recidivism, a tenet supported by research. Third, the core function of changing young lives through education requires the cooperation of many agencies that are critical to successful outcomes. Both of the schools are fully accredited, comprehensive high schools with strong career and technical education programs. Several factors have contributed to the success of the educational programs at the two schools. They include a strong working relationship between WESD and OYA, competent education staff, committed educational leadership, clear vision and mission, regular and accurate assessment, commitment to student progress, a strong vocational program, postsecondary and work experience programs for graduates, and transition specialists who guide youths' reentry into the community. Data collected by the OYA Research and Evaluation Unit continue to show that education is a key factor in reducing juvenile recidivism, which is at a significantly low 28 percent for those youths released from OYA custody in the last 36 months. In one of the three case studies provided, a youth in one of the schools who received 2 years of training in the welding program became employed at a structural steel factory in Portland, OR. After 4 years, he is an inspector with a Positive Materials Identifier license, which is held by only three inspectors in the State. 1 table and 7 notes